>Our ferret Arnold used to have two whitish spots in the back of his throat, >sort of like tonsils. (one on each side) Then one went away, and the other >became larger. Now the larger one is growing, and is about half as big as a >common pencil eraser. Is this a tumor or an infection?? Is there a simple >cure, or do we need a doctor? I have suppressed the desire to try to pop the >thing. Comments appreciated. Dear Sleepless: Sorry to be so long in replying; I'm catching up on my mail after a week off. Yes, ferrets do have paired tonsils in the back of the throat. You may be dealing with either an infection or a tumr, it's difficult to say. If one is growing, the possibility of lymphosarcoma (the tonsil is a lymphoid organ) should be considered. I know of no simple cure for your problem without a trip to the vet. I would not suggest trying to pop anything in the back of your ferret's throat - it may prove a problem for the both of you.... Bruce Williams, DVM Department of Veterinary Pathology [log in to unmask] Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (202) 576-2453/2454 Washington, D.C. 20306-6000 [Posted in FML issue 0923]